Square Foot Outdoor STEM Project and Back Yard Jungle Activity

Is you backyard a jungle? We have a terrific way to explore nature in your own backyard with the one square foot outdoor STEM project! This is a super easy to set up nature science and STEM activity that you can do in any season and just about any setting. In fact, we encourage you to explore lots of locations throughout the year!

ONE SQUARE FOOT STEM PROJECT & BACKYARD JUNGLE ACTIVITY

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Take STEM outdoors this year for some terrific, practical, and easy to set up nature science activities(more here). There are many ways you can explore the outdoor world without breaking the budget or having to set up elaborate experiments. Plus, we have included free printable sheets to add to your science journals for this square foot outdoor STEM project!

What you will find the most exciting about this outdoor STEM project is that you can try it in any season and at a ton of different locations. It’s an easy outdoor activity to take with you, and you can make up your own backyard jungle travel kit to keep in the car!

We first learned of this awesome nature science and STEM project with our Cub Scout pack, and I thought it would be such a neat experience to share with all of you. You don’t need much to get started. In fact you don’t even need all the items we have included!

WHY IS THE ONE SQUARE FOOT STEM PROJECT CALLED A STEM PROJECT?

First, let’s quickly define STEM. What is STEM? STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. A good STEM project will include at least two of the pillars of STEM. Often a STEM activity will contain a bit of all four pillars because they are all deeply intertwined. You an read more about STEM here.

Our backyard jungle STEM project includes a bit of each pillar of STEM.

SCENCE:

We will be exploring the creatures, soil, water, and plants that may be in our one square foot piece of land.

TECHNOLOGY:

We might use our camera to take pictures of what we see as it isn’t advisable to remove these items from there natural habitat to leave no trace. From our notes, pictures, and drawings, we might use the internet to research these items to learn more about them.

Before you can even begin your exploration of your area, you have to set it up! You will need to measure out one square foot worth of string. This will include using a measuring tape and some basic math skills to determine the correct length. Your kids may need to learn about theses measurements before you can cut the string needed.

Once you have the correct length of string, you need to set up or engineer your frame around your square foot of land. You can do this as simply as laying down the string you have cut and making sure that it is in fact positioned as a one foot square.

Or you can get a little more creative and add popsicle sticks or small dowel pieces. You can measure the distances needed and stick a popsicle stick into the ground at each of the four corners and tie your string to them. You could even set up a grid with more squares to compare and contrast the squares of land.

SUPPLIES USED

String

Measuring Tape

Scissors

Magnifying Glass

Camera

Pencil

Printable Sheets { notepad works well too}

Optional Items {small beaker for taking a sample to study further, a test tube for collecting a water sample, or a bug box for peacefully observing any bugs found.

SQUARE FOOT OUTDOOR STEM PROJECT SET UP

This square foot outdoor STEM project is a great activity for parents, teachers, or older kids to get involved with too especially if you need to supervise the use of scissors. Help your kids measure and cut the amount of string needed to create your backyard jungle project.

Decide how you want to set it up and whether you want to simply place the string on the ground or if you want to try out some creative engineering!

Get down! Yes, you need to get down on your belly to really see what’s down there. Grab a magnifying glass and check it all out. You can push the grass aside if necessary to see what’s below the surface.

Use our free printable sheets to record data, take notes, and draw pictures of everything you can see and find from leaves, to moss, to grass, to dirt and water. Take notes on the bugs, insects or critters that might be crawling around or take note of any foot prints or droppings that are left behind.

Draw pictures of your area, document the weather conditions, time of day, season, or anything else that can help you learn more about your one square foot!

A backyard jungle or one square foot outdoor STEM project is something you can set up on a nature hike, on a camping trip, at the beach, or in a jungle! Make a point to explore different outdoor locations.

Of course, it’s also fun to explore your own backyard and learn more about what is living on the piece of land with you. You can totally try this for each season and note any differences or similarities you find. You can set it up in the same spot each time for a great experiment.

Or you can pick different spots around the yard to see if there is anything different to find. Maybe you see a footprint in the mud and you want to set up your nature science activity to include it!

This can be a great bonding or partner activity for peers, siblings, parents, teachers, and care givers to do together. We can all learn something from someone else. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to work on teamwork. My husband and son enjoyed working together.

THE ONE SQUARE FOOT OUTDOOR STEM PROJECT FOR KIDS!

Also make sure to check out these great science and STEM ideas for kids. Click on photos.

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I really appreciate with you. This can be a great bonding or partner activity for peers, siblings, parents, teachers, and care givers to do together. We can all learn something from someone else. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to work on teamwork. Me and my son enjoyed working together.Thanks for the sharing such a informative also useful article.